First to the Valley was Shiverclan.

A group of friends, or in some cases, simply those looking for adventure, were led by a bold young cat by the name of Shiver. She led them far from their homes, far beyond what anyone expected - into the mountains. When winter struck, unexpectedly harsh, they were nearly ended then and there. However, two spirits revealed themselves to aid the ragged Clan. The first was Star, a wise old she-cat who guided their paws to safety and taught them to survive in the harsh land. The second was Moon, an experienced tomcat who kept their ranks healthy until they could survive on their own. Once the Clan settled into their new lives, Shiver was graced with nine lives and took the name Shiverstar to honor their guide. Likewise, the name of their healer became Palemoon.


Second to the Valley was Blizzardclan.

Shiverclan had little time to settle peacefully. During this period, they had discovered a peculiar waterfall that seemed to be a place to speak with the spirits - Star, Moon, and the cats who hadn't survived the journey would visit with Shiverstar and Palemoon there. However, that was the only good thing, for new creatures had come to the valley and begun to prey on the small Clan. Three died before Shiverstar reluctantly left their so recently acquired home with a single message: "Look to the Moon for aid when all else seems lost."

Later, the journey they took was referred to as "The Flight." Attempts to find a new suitable home failed, and faith slowly drained away. This was when they came upon a new group of cats, a group with a very different style of living. Their leader, Blizzard, was arrogant, but powerful. His soft-spoken heir was young and cunning Raven. Both led the family of Moon - a family Palemoon immediately made a connection to.

Shortly afterwards, a deal was struck. In return for Blizzard's help in driving out the creatures - it was explained they were called mountain lions, and the family of Moon had dealt with them before - they would receive a portion of the large, plentiful valley. With this in place, the two Clans returned and successfully defeated the lions that had taken up residence. Blizzard and his cats settled on the far western side of the valley, partially in the mountains.


Third to the Valley was Cloudclan.

The Clan had been forced from their home by large, two-legged creatures, driven back into the treacherous mountains. The survivors were stunned at the discovery of the valley, and were soon found by Shiverclan. Having still owned most of the land, those who had remembered their own journey into the mountains took pity, and it was agreed that Cloudclan would also live in the valley. They took a large portion of the southern land to settle in.


Then, Cloudclan divided.

There was peace for several generations. That is, until Cougarstar fell very ill. Her deputy later passed, and the now mad leader refused to appoint a new one. The confusion nearly tore apart the Clan, and they decided to appoint the deputy themselves. Most of the votes, however, were split between two Clanmates: the bold, powerful Fogstep, and the intelligent, capable Lightningwisp. Arguments often broke out and decisions delayed... right up until Cougarstar finally died.

From there, confusion, fear, and anger escalated to the point of bloodshed. The two chosen made a decision that forever changed the Clan. The words of Lightningwisp were, "Those who wish for me to lead, I will. But it will be Lightningclan that I lead. Those who wish for Fogstep to lead shall become members of Fogclan." The Clan and its territory split into two, never to rejoin.

Each of the Clans now play a definite role in the valley. Blizzardclan, the Clan to the far west, is known for its isolation, and is the only Clan settled in the mountains ringing them. Shiverclan has always been the peacekeeper, and is now only located in the northeastern forest. Fogclan is the Clan of the rivers, and makes its home in the southern marshes. Lightningclan is central-west, living in the sandy land near the western mountains. The latter two Clans retain their bitter rivalry throughout the generations, and are nearly always responsible for the conflicts.

Every one of these four Clans, for every generation, has a story yet to be told.


A/N: Okay... breathe. Just breathe.

So yes, this is officially the first fic I will be posting for strangers to read. *is absolutely terrified*

For now, this first chapter is just an introduction to the history of the Clans. Next, I'll be getting to the actual cats.

Please, I want to hear back. Comments, criticism, anything. And please, let me know if I made a typo or something. I know they drive me nuts when I read, and I don't want that for others. (And yes, I know that last line of the fic is cheesy.)

Thanks for reading!

Ugh, I wanted there to be a second space where the line breaks are. Clearly, I'm not getting my way.